THE OFFICIAL DO HARD THINGS STUDY GUIDE - …

THE OFFICIAL DO HARD THINGS STUDY GUIDE

bY DAVE KOPP WITH ALEX & BRETT HARRIS

Dear Friend,

If you're like us, talking with others about what you're reading helps you decide what you think and how to respond to what a book is saying. This chapter-bychapter study guide is intended to help you do just that. Use it for personal study, if you wish, but we think it works best in a group. And the best group is one where you're surrounded by others who care about the same things you do and are ready to put truth into action. Don't feel you have to process every question. It's not a test, and as often as not, there's no one right answer. Also, don't let our questions limit what you ask or where you go. Ask God to direct your thoughts and decisions. And ask Him for courage--lots of it. Because big ideas are weak ideas if we're not willing to let them shape how we think and live. So use this study guide to zero in on the ideas, choices, and actions that seem most promising and helpful to you and your friends. Then expect great things to happen in your lives as you do hard things for the glory of God! Your Fellow Rebelutionaries,

Alex and Brett Harris

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CHAPTER ONE: MOST PEOPLE DON'T

A Different Kind of Teen Book

"We believe our generation is ready to rethink what teens are capable of doing and becoming." With that statement, the authors set the stage for a discussion about doing things differently. Then they identify the unique angle of Do Hard Things: instead of being a book where adults tell teens how to change, it's a conversation among teens who are ready to lead the way. Alex and Brett talk briefly about their background and reasons for writing the book. They want teens to rebel against low expectations and reclaim the full potential of their teen years.

Questions for Discussion or Reflection:

1) As you read the inside flaps of the book and the first chapter, how did you react to the authors' talk about change, hard things, and "rebelution"?

2) Usually we try to look to older (hopefully wiser) people for life advice. Do you see any risks when teenagers--in this case, two nineteen year olds--try to persuade other young people to change how they think? On the other hand, what might be some advantages to the authors' age?

3) "We don't think `average teenagers' exist," write the twins. Do you feel average? If so, why? Does that ever feel like a good thing? If not, what is it that makes you feel not average?

4) The fictional Dundress monks were well intentioned but unhappy Christians who believed that more misery must mean more holiness. Have you ever thought that? Where do you think that kind of thinking comes from?

5) In what ways do you think popular culture misrepresents what the teen years are for? Can you think of one thing that would change if you and your friends believed--really believed--that low expectations were ripping you off?

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CHAPTER TWO: THE BIRTH OF A BIG IDEA

Rumblings of a rebelution

In this chapter, Alex and Brett tell the story of their journey from being bored teens to being Supreme Court interns, campaign workers, and blog hosts. But before they had new experiences they had new ideas--big ideas like:

? Our generation is getting robbed! ? There has to be more to the teen years than goofing off. ? Ordinary teens can make a big difference in the world. ? Young people can handle big responsibilities. ? With big dreams come big challenges. ? What teens working together can accomplish is amazing! They close the chapter by inviting readers to join them in an uprising "against a cultural mind-set that twists the purpose and potential of the teen years and threatens to cripple our generation."

Questions for Discussion or Reflection:

1) Looking back, do you see a season, a book, or an event that changed what you believe or how you live? If so, talk about it. How are you different now?

2) One teen told Alex and Brett, "Everyone I know at school is shackled by low expectations." Could you say the same thing? If so, talk about why.

3) Have you ever found yourself responsible for a task that seemed too big for you to succeed at? If so, what happened? Did that experience turn out to be a bad thing or a good thing in your life?

4) Did you identify with the story of shy Heidi Bentley (pages 19-22)? If so, talk about it.

5) History shows that youth movements against God-established authority have generally not amounted to much. How do the authors set their message apart from such movements?

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CHAPTER THREE: THE MYTH OF ADOLESCENCE

EXposing expectations that are robbing our generation

An elephant is an incredibly powerful beast that can be restrained by a piece of twine. (No kidding.) And that powerful animal just might be you, say Alex and Brett. Why? Because teens today buy into "the Myth of Adolescence." That myth is an assumption that the teen years can't add up to much and are meant to be spent as some sort of vacation from responsibility. Unfortunately, those low expectations end up trapping and limiting teens for no good reason. But it doesn't have to be that way. Even the word teenager, the authors point out, is a recent invention. We can choose to live by higher standards. We can leave childish ways behind and grow up. We can decide to do hard things. That, say the twins, is where the Rebelution starts.

Questions for Discussion or Reflection:

1) Have you ever visited a zoo, seen beautiful and powerful animals caged by glass or bars, and felt that something was terribly wrong? If so, talk about it. Why do you think some teens might identify with a wild but caged bird or animal?

2) Do you think that harmless-sounding lies about the teen years could be holding back both you and other teens you know? Talk about it.

3) What was your reaction to the stories of George, David, and Clarissa (pages 31-32)? Have you ever thought you could accomplish a lot more than you are now?

4) What do your parents expect you to do at home in an average week? Do you deliver? Be honest. How much time and effort does it take to do what's asked of you? Do you think your parents require too much or too little?

5) Have you ever found yourself behaving very differently--and accomplishing a lot more--simply because someone expected you to? Describe the experience.

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